Goose Island Announces 2024 Bourbon County Brand Stout Variants

I’ve been bringing you a peek at some of the new (and fake) variants forming in 2024 for Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout. Today I have the initial confirmation from Goose Island of what’s coming this fall. For 2024, the variants will include Bourbon County Brand Original, Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Rye Stout, Bourbon County Brand Macaroon Stout, Bourbon County Brand Proprietor’s Barleywine & Bourbon County Brand Cask Finish Stout:

2024 BOURBON COUNTY BRAND

ORIGINAL STOUT

After crafting the very first bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout, we’ve learned that to have the best beer, you start with the best possible ingredients. Barrels are such an important ingredient and we continue to use only the best our friends on the bourbon trail have to offer. 2024 Bourbon County Brand Original Stout is aged in a mix of freshly emptied bourbon barrels from Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, Four Roses and Wild Turkey distilleries. Barrel-aged for an average of 12 months, Bourbon County Original Stout boasts deeply developed flavors of fudge, vanilla and caramelized sugar with a rich, decadent mouthfeel.

2024 BOURBON COUNTY BRAND

VANILLA RYE STOUT

It’s been six years since we released one of the most celebrated Bourbon County Brand Stout variants. Today, we’re excited to warmly welcome the return of this iconic member of the Bourbon County Brand Stout family.

Vanilla, as an ingredient, has made an appearance in Bourbon County lineups over the years, but the 2024 Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Rye Stout is a new take on our 2014 Vanilla Rye release. This year’s release showcases rye and the complexity it delivers by starting with a rye imperial stout and aging it in freshly emptied rye whiskey barrels. After aging in barrels for a full year, the stout is then finished with incredibly aromatic madagascar vanilla beans. Bourbon County Vanilla Rye Stout has the beloved attributes of the vanilla variants before it–with a new characteristically rich spice character from aging in the rye whiskey barrels.

2024 BOURBON COUNTY BRAND

MACAROON STOUT

There is nothing quite like the comforting aroma that fills the home when baking with family. Inspired by late nights in the kitchen with Mom, Goose Island employee Paul Spiller sought to capture that sweet moment in this year’s newest member of the Bourbon County Brand Stout family.

2024 Bourbon County Brand Macaroon Stout is an imperial stout aged for a full year in bourbon barrels before adding rich cocoa nibs, sweet candied ginger and toasted coconut. This decadent stout is an homage to the flavors of homemade coconut macaroons with a twist of nostalgia.

2024 BOURBON COUNTY BRAND

PROPRIETOR’S BARLEYWINE ALE

Back in 2013, we created our first-ever Chicago exclusive member of the Bourbon County Brand Stout Family. Proprietor’s Stout was born out of immense gratitude to our city and to celebrate the birthplace of our brewery.

This year marks the debut of a barleywine under the coveted Proprietor’s name. Having fallen in love with the popular Mexican spoon candy, brewer Colby Magratten crafted a recipe with our bourbon barrel-aged barleywine that blends together tamarind, lime, whole Guajillo chiles and piloncillo.

Chicago and the people who call it home are forever a source of inspiration in all that we do. 2024 Bourbon County Brand Proprietor’s Barleywine is a direct reflection of that inspiration and unlike anything we’ve ever done before. With a subtle dried fruit sweetness, refreshing lime zest and a delightfully warming finish, this barleywine is decidedly Chicago.

2024 BOURBON COUNTY BRAND

CASK FINISH STOUT

As the creators of the first-ever bourbon barrel-aged stout, we have long sought to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of beer. That’s why, when crafting this year’s 2024 Bourbon County Brand Cask Finish Stout, we were thrilled to work with our friends at Bardstown Bourbon Company.

Drawing inspiration from Bardstown’s modern and creative spirit in finished whiskeys, this imperial stout takes the same journey as their Origin Series Rye. We began by aging our imperial stout in Bardstown’s freshly emptied straight rye whiskey barrels. From there, we transferred the beer to “hybrid” oak and cherry wood barrels that finished their rye whiskey. These incredibly expressive barrels deliver a remarkable finish unlike anything seen before in the Bourbon County family. A beautifully balanced beer, Bourbon County Bardstown Cask Finish Stout is deeply expressive with vibrant cherry, toasted oak and a lingering herbal finish.

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